The Human Face of Immigration
What is an "immigrant?"
While the formal definition is "a person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country," immigrants do much more than simply change their residence. They voluntarily move from one country to another for a variety of reasons. Above all else, though, they come to America for an opportunity to lead a better life not only for themselves, but their families, too.
While the formal definition is "a person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country," immigrants do much more than simply change their residence. They voluntarily move from one country to another for a variety of reasons. Above all else, though, they come to America for an opportunity to lead a better life not only for themselves, but their families, too.
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Losing The Label
Perhaps the highest hurdle immigrants stand to jump upon entering America is the inevitable and immediate stigma attached to immigrants before, as, and after they cross the border. That stigma is, of course, one that houses words like "dirty," "illiterate," and "intrusive." While that may be true to some, it's absentminded to believe that any and all immigrants fulfill that stereotype. In fact, most immigrants don't fit that description.
The belief that immigrants are "dirty" is derived from their depiction in mainstream media. Although there is an exception to every rule, the "uncleanliness" is often mistaken for a difference in one's native customs.
The "illiterate" factor is a well-documented one, but at times grossly exaggerated. Carol M. Swain, the author of Debating Immigration (2007), contends that "while immigrant workers constitute 15 percent of the U.S. labor force, they are a whopping 40 percent of workers without high school diplomas" (p. 182). That number, however, is often blown out of proportion. After all, is an element of illiteracy not universally expected when any immigrant, in any country, crosses the border of a foreign land?
The issue of "intrusiveness," according to Swain, is a mere fabrication. In relation to our government, "immigrants vote at largely the same rate as other Americans"; if nothing else, this proves that immigrants don't see democracy as simply a "lifestyle option," but rather a "core value" that they possess, and continue to embrace (Swain, p. 194).
Perhaps the highest hurdle immigrants stand to jump upon entering America is the inevitable and immediate stigma attached to immigrants before, as, and after they cross the border. That stigma is, of course, one that houses words like "dirty," "illiterate," and "intrusive." While that may be true to some, it's absentminded to believe that any and all immigrants fulfill that stereotype. In fact, most immigrants don't fit that description.
The belief that immigrants are "dirty" is derived from their depiction in mainstream media. Although there is an exception to every rule, the "uncleanliness" is often mistaken for a difference in one's native customs.
The "illiterate" factor is a well-documented one, but at times grossly exaggerated. Carol M. Swain, the author of Debating Immigration (2007), contends that "while immigrant workers constitute 15 percent of the U.S. labor force, they are a whopping 40 percent of workers without high school diplomas" (p. 182). That number, however, is often blown out of proportion. After all, is an element of illiteracy not universally expected when any immigrant, in any country, crosses the border of a foreign land?
The issue of "intrusiveness," according to Swain, is a mere fabrication. In relation to our government, "immigrants vote at largely the same rate as other Americans"; if nothing else, this proves that immigrants don't see democracy as simply a "lifestyle option," but rather a "core value" that they possess, and continue to embrace (Swain, p. 194).
It ain't what folks don't know that's the problem, it's what they know that ain't so.
--Will Rogers (Swain, 2007, p. 157)
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In Their Shoes
It's not difficult for American natives to speak critically about immigrants. After all, why feel sympathetic towards someone who voluntarily immigrated to the U.S.? If they're now leading a life in America, their ultimate goal has already been reached, right?
Well, not exactly.
Perhaps the toughest task of any immigrant - which happens to be the most underrated, too - is to weather the trails and tribulations they face after they cross the border. There is no question that the immigrant process is complicated, drawn-out, and, for some, nearly impossible to navigate; but for many, crossing the border proves easy compared to the many issues they face when trying to assimilate into American society. Those issues include, but are certainly not limited to...
It's not difficult for American natives to speak critically about immigrants. After all, why feel sympathetic towards someone who voluntarily immigrated to the U.S.? If they're now leading a life in America, their ultimate goal has already been reached, right?
Well, not exactly.
Perhaps the toughest task of any immigrant - which happens to be the most underrated, too - is to weather the trails and tribulations they face after they cross the border. There is no question that the immigrant process is complicated, drawn-out, and, for some, nearly impossible to navigate; but for many, crossing the border proves easy compared to the many issues they face when trying to assimilate into American society. Those issues include, but are certainly not limited to...
![Picture](/uploads/2/2/8/7/22871460/360600.png?359)
(1) The Language Barrier
Just as a tourist enters a foreign country for vacation, constantly fumbling for the Spanish-to-English Dictionary, immigrants enter the U.S. with the same obstacles to pass. The only difference being, instead of a week-long vacation, these people are here to stay, to build a better life. If you have ever traveled to a foreign country, been incapable of speaking to the natives, unable to read street signs and billboards, you know the feeling many immigrants feel when they enter America. When you cannot communicate with the majority of the people around you, life becomes difficult very quickly.
(2) Educational Problems
Many of the educational problems immigrants face when arriving in America stem from their inability to communicate. However, the problem is in a class of its own. Many immigrant children drop out of school shortly after they arrive because of the invisible barrier between teacher and student. The few that continue to enroll are often plagued by low test scores and sub-par grades not because they are dumb, but because they cannot read or write in the English language.
Just as a tourist enters a foreign country for vacation, constantly fumbling for the Spanish-to-English Dictionary, immigrants enter the U.S. with the same obstacles to pass. The only difference being, instead of a week-long vacation, these people are here to stay, to build a better life. If you have ever traveled to a foreign country, been incapable of speaking to the natives, unable to read street signs and billboards, you know the feeling many immigrants feel when they enter America. When you cannot communicate with the majority of the people around you, life becomes difficult very quickly.
(2) Educational Problems
Many of the educational problems immigrants face when arriving in America stem from their inability to communicate. However, the problem is in a class of its own. Many immigrant children drop out of school shortly after they arrive because of the invisible barrier between teacher and student. The few that continue to enroll are often plagued by low test scores and sub-par grades not because they are dumb, but because they cannot read or write in the English language.
![Picture](/uploads/2/2/8/7/22871460/5620757.png?131)
Who Are They?
Have you ever wondered what being an immigrant might be like? Try walking a mile in Pedro’s shoes. At age 9 Pedro moves to a foreign country having only completed a few years of school in his home country; he enrolls in school in this new foreign country. After a week or two Pedro drops out and starts to work. This isn't because he isn't smart, or doesn't want to learn, but he doesn't speak this foreign language so going to school is pointless.
Emmanuel comes to the United States hoping for a fresh start to work and make an income for his family. He works difficult jobs that require much physical labor. Every time he gets his paycheck it has been "taxed" until his wages are hardly enough to keep him and his family alive. Emmanuel turns to drug trafficking to keep his family alive.
Jose came to America when he was 17. A bright young man, he was smart in school and wanted to pursue a premedical degree and go on to medical school. After just 2 semesters in college, Jose had to drop out of school and work because he wasn't able to afford it. Jose eventually was pressured to started drug trafficking, he was caught and placed in prison.
Today Jose sits in prison lacking a future that once looked so bright, every day he wrestles with the question and the plea of whether he deserves or can have another chance. Jose is 20 years old.
Kim is an older woman living in Illinois. As a young woman Kim met a young man who was a foreigner in her country, a soldier. She threw caution to the wind, married him and moved to his country on the promise of love. Kim knew barely any of this new foreign language or culture. Shortly after moving, her husband left her and she was stranded. Kim was stuck in a foreign country where she knew no one, hardly knew any of the language and had a broken heart. Kim is now an elderly lady. She has lived at a homeless shelter for many many years, hardly ever speaks and has no promise or hope of a future.
Jesus came to the United States to be with his family; he works as a horse groomer making decent money from a wealthy and generous boss. Jesus loves his life in America although he is here illegally. Because of this he cannot drive or get a credit card, and he can never again visit his family. Jesus has not been back to his country in 10 years and has not seen any of his family members in all that time. He is homesick, but his life in America is most precious of all because for him there is a future.
Some immigrants are able to piece together a future bright and full of good. They overcome language barriers, different cultures, adversity, loneliness, racism, stereotyping, and poverty. Others have not had the same chances or made their way as effectively as others. Stepping back from the prejudices and biases to meet people where they are for who they are opens your eyes to see who they really are - people with stories waiting to be told.
Have you ever wondered what being an immigrant might be like? Try walking a mile in Pedro’s shoes. At age 9 Pedro moves to a foreign country having only completed a few years of school in his home country; he enrolls in school in this new foreign country. After a week or two Pedro drops out and starts to work. This isn't because he isn't smart, or doesn't want to learn, but he doesn't speak this foreign language so going to school is pointless.
Emmanuel comes to the United States hoping for a fresh start to work and make an income for his family. He works difficult jobs that require much physical labor. Every time he gets his paycheck it has been "taxed" until his wages are hardly enough to keep him and his family alive. Emmanuel turns to drug trafficking to keep his family alive.
Jose came to America when he was 17. A bright young man, he was smart in school and wanted to pursue a premedical degree and go on to medical school. After just 2 semesters in college, Jose had to drop out of school and work because he wasn't able to afford it. Jose eventually was pressured to started drug trafficking, he was caught and placed in prison.
Today Jose sits in prison lacking a future that once looked so bright, every day he wrestles with the question and the plea of whether he deserves or can have another chance. Jose is 20 years old.
Kim is an older woman living in Illinois. As a young woman Kim met a young man who was a foreigner in her country, a soldier. She threw caution to the wind, married him and moved to his country on the promise of love. Kim knew barely any of this new foreign language or culture. Shortly after moving, her husband left her and she was stranded. Kim was stuck in a foreign country where she knew no one, hardly knew any of the language and had a broken heart. Kim is now an elderly lady. She has lived at a homeless shelter for many many years, hardly ever speaks and has no promise or hope of a future.
Jesus came to the United States to be with his family; he works as a horse groomer making decent money from a wealthy and generous boss. Jesus loves his life in America although he is here illegally. Because of this he cannot drive or get a credit card, and he can never again visit his family. Jesus has not been back to his country in 10 years and has not seen any of his family members in all that time. He is homesick, but his life in America is most precious of all because for him there is a future.
Some immigrants are able to piece together a future bright and full of good. They overcome language barriers, different cultures, adversity, loneliness, racism, stereotyping, and poverty. Others have not had the same chances or made their way as effectively as others. Stepping back from the prejudices and biases to meet people where they are for who they are opens your eyes to see who they really are - people with stories waiting to be told.
References
Swain, Carol M. ed. Debating Immigration. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007. ISBN: 978-0-521-69866-5.
Swain, Carol M. ed. Debating Immigration. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007. ISBN: 978-0-521-69866-5.